David McMillen

David McMillen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). He leads the Synthetic Biology and Cellular Control Laboratory, focusing on engineering biological systems to create functional cellular devices. His work integrates molecular biology with control theory to design regulatory networks that enable cells to self-regulate and respond to internal/external cues. Key research areas include biosensor development, metabolic pathway optimization, and applications in global health such as low-cost diagnostic tools and protein production systems for resource-limited settings.

His interdisciplinary approach combines experimental wet-lab work (primarily in bacteria and yeast) with computational modeling. Recent projects emphasize translating theoretical findings into practical biological designs, including novel regulatory elements and expanded genetic part libraries. Collaborations with industry and public-sector partners drive applied research directions addressing real-world challenges like pathogen detection and sustainable biomanufacturing.

Advising and grants: Supervises PhD students in Cell and Systems Biology, Chemistry, and Physics programs. Active in training interdisciplinary researchers bridging engineering and life sciences. Lab members include Brendan Hussey, Richard Kil, and Zhe Tang, working on topics ranging from synthetic transcription factors to robust homeostatic systems.

Labs/Teams: Head of the Synthetic Biology and Cellular Control Lab at UTM, fostering collaborations in biomolecular engineering and systems-level analysis.